In the azure blue space, deep within the heart of the Dispot World, closest to the core of the world's Spirit Corridor, three figures stood waiting for the moment to pierce through the planet and the Spirit Corridor.
"Riku."
Raising her head to look at the scene displayed on the blue screen, Shuvi held onto Riku's hand with her right hand, while her other hand rested on her chest as she whispered, "Shuvi's chest hurts, but a self-check reveals no abnormalities. Why is that?"
Holding Shuvi's hand tighter, Riku looked at the screen showing everyone fighting desperately, and said in a deep voice, "Shuvi, that is called a 'heart.'"
"Heart?"
Touching her chest, Shuvi looked at the tears glistening in Riku's eyes and seemed to understand as she said, "So this is a heart."
"Riku, Shuvi seems to understand a little now."
"Mm."
Riku wiped his eyes, took a deep breath, and asked Shuvi, "Shuvi, how's the energy convergence coming along?"
The device on Shuvi's forehead emitted a blue glow as she quickly processed the data in her mind. Her eyes flickered with faint light as she turned to Riku and replied, "The energy convergence will be complete in one minute."
"One minute, huh?"
Clearing his mind of distractions, Riku analyzed the situation on the live feed and turned to Kazuma Satou beside him. "Kazuma, are you ready?"
"Hiroshi and Xiao Hei have already regrouped, and they're about to begin the plan. Once they succeed, we'll need your ability to retrieve the Star Grail to be safe. After all, none of us are confident we can handle the Spirit Corridor's energy safely after it's been breached."
"Don't worry!"
Sending out the last of his messages, Kazuma gave a firm nod. "Leave it to the great Kazuma! I guarantee success."
"By the way, Emiya is on his way here. He noticed a lot of those unaffiliated races lingering around the battlefield. Once we breach the Spirit Corridor, it's likely they'll notice, so we need to act quickly and be ready for a fight."
"That's also within our expectations, which is why Emiya went to protect those fighting at full strength."
Staring at the feed on the screen, Riku saw the War God Alseth trapped in the Dark World and shouted at Shuvi, "Shuvi, prepare to converge the energy!"
"Shuvi understands. Arming up. Convergence begins."
Blue light burst forth as Shuvi armed herself. Wing-like mechanical thrusters positioned behind her right shoulder, a radar-like device extended from her forehead, and countless data scrolled across the lens in front of her eyes.
Above ground, Beastmen, Vampires, and Demons roamed the battlefield, searching for any chance of victory.
Suddenly, the energy ball, which had been slowly condensing under the mechanical species' traffic control, began shrinking faster. The mechanical species, maintaining the force field around the energy ball, moved closer together, transforming into a strange machine with a long barrel aimed directly at the ground.
The ears atop his head twitched, and Carter stood upright, watching the changes beneath the energy ball. He glanced towards the ongoing battle between the Forest Faction and Earth Faction, pondering.
Raising his right hand, Carter gave orders to his Beastmen troops behind him, "Kailin, we're heading underground—to the spot closest to the Spirit Corridor. The Star Grail will most likely appear there."
Squinting his eyes, Carter gazed at Hiroshi and the others unleashing catastrophic powers in the distance, sighing softly, "What a remarkable human. I don't know where you gained such power, but your wisdom cannot be underestimated."
"It looks like the thousands of years of war may finally come to an end today."
"Chief, why are we heading underground?"
While directing the troops to open a passage to the underground world, Kailin asked Carter in confusion, "Isn't the battle taking place on the ground and in the sky? If the strongest emerges, and the Star Grail appears, wouldn't we miss the chance to snatch it while they're wounded?"
"No, the Star Grail won't appear on the ground."
Turning to look at the passage being quickly excavated by his Beastmen troops, Carter stared at the energy ball, which was about to finish converging, and said, "Their goal is to unite the power of the three factions to pierce the Spirit Corridor, revealing the Star Grail. There is no greater power in this world than the Spirit Corridor, and anyone capable of breaking through that power would be the strongest being."
"A path no one had ever imagined. Such terrifying humans, silently preparing everything from behind the scenes and steering events to their envisioned outcome."
"We're through!"
Hearing the soldiers' shouts, Carter took a deep breath and gazed down into the abyss-like underground passage, shouting to his waiting troops, "Stay on high alert! The enemy will surely have defenses in place. Prepare for battle at any time! Now, move towards the underground world! Everything is for our great Creator!"
The mighty Beastmen army began their advance into the dark underground, ready to face anything for the sake of their people and their Creator's wishes.
Once the last Beastman soldier had entered the passage, a chuckle echoed from the seemingly empty air in the distance.
"Well, that was interesting to hear."
Under the illumination of luminescent plants, Carter led the Beastmen army deeper into the underground. Suddenly, a surge of spirit energy emanated from the depths below, and a radiant beam—symbolizing the power of the One True God—began shining.
Deep within the underground world, Riku stared at the crystal-like object emerging from the energy surge. He turned to Kazuma beside him, shouting, "Kazuma! Hurry, the Star Grail has appeared!"
"Got it!"
With spirit energy circulating rapidly within him, Kazuma's eyes glowed white. Using his chosen path, he extended his hand forcefully towards the Star Grail.
"Steal!"
A dazzling white glow appeared in Kazuma's palm. Sweat poured from his forehead as he felt his spirit energy being drained and sensed the Star Grail slowly shifting under his power. Kazuma glanced at the live feed, showing the heavily injured Hiroshi and others, his eyes reddening. He ignored whether his body could withstand it and pushed his spirit energy circulation to the limit.
Below, Shuvi and Riku stood in front of Kazuma, glancing at each other as numerous Vampires suddenly appeared, both of them activating their armaments.
Behind them, Kazuma's sweat-drenched breaths echoed throughout the space.
Above, Emiya Shirou stood with both swords drawn, blocking the advancing Beastmen army.
Facing the dust-raising army before him, Emiya Shirou shouted with a smile, "This path is closed!"